Innovation strategy
I connect foresight, portfolios, research and open innovation to turn opportunities into pathways for business and the future.
Polly Guedes
Polly GuedesI turn innovation into decisions, capability and results.
Applied innovation · Technology · Strategy · Impact
Complexitybecomes direction.Direction gains momentum.
I am a multidisciplinary innovation leader. My path connects science, industry, technology and social impact. Today, I lead the LATAM Innovation agenda at the Hexagon Smart Centre LATAM and I am the founder of DiNNO, an innovation consultancy.
A JOURNEY IN MOTION · 01
2010 — 2022
Brewing science
Pesquisa, sensorial, produto e inovação em escala.
LATAMBrazil, Chile and Peru · innovation applied to mining
16+years connecting science and business
12years at Ambev
25+people across teams I have led
What I believe
I believe innovation gains strength when technology, context and people are part of the same system. My role as a leader is to turn that complexity into decisions that move forward.Polly Guedes
Fields of authority
I built my perspective across science, industry and technology
Technology in context
I read complex operations and integrate technology, processes and people to create real, sustainable value.
Transformation leadership
I lead multidisciplinary teams, structure governance and develop people to turn decisions into lasting capability.
From experience to practice
I founded DiNNO to create the controlled chaos where innovation can thrive
The consultancy organizes purpose, processes, indicators and portfolios to turn scattered ideas into sustainable decisions and growth paths.
PurposeStructureInnovation
Current role2026 →
Hexagon Smart Centre LATAM
I connect regional innovation with operational reality
As LATAM Innovation Manager, I turn mining needs into a regional innovation agenda. I connect clients, experts and Hexagon teams to prioritize technologies grounded in operations and strengthen safer, more efficient and more human decisions.
Safety as an innovation valueIn complex operations, innovating also means reducing exposure to risk and expanding the ability to act before a problem happens.
Innovation consultancy
At DiNNO, I organize complexity so innovation can thrive
I created DiNNO to support companies, leaders and organizations that need to turn strategy into execution without losing room to experiment, learn and create futures.
Innovation strategy and portfolio
I assess scenarios, prioritize opportunities and design pipelines, governance and connections among research, business and market.
Projects, programs and PMO
I structure processes, indicators, rituals, risk management and executive oversight for complex, multidisciplinary initiatives.
Leadership and transformation
I design ways of working, develop leaders and facilitate decisions for teams navigating growth or change.
Flexible formats Assessments, special projects, executive workshops and strategic advisory.
Talk with DiNNOImpact I have built
Five contexts where I turned complexity into value
Technology, operations and regional vision
I lead LATAM Innovation at the Hexagon Smart Centre, connecting operational challenges with technological pathways.
LATAMBrasil · Chile · PeruApplied innovation
I connect clients, experts and Hexagon teams to define priorities grounded in operational reality.
From science to market: innovation at scale
Through six promotions, I progressed from intern to Head, connecting R&D, Consumer Science, marketing and innovation.
12 years15 brands10–25 people
I helped create and launch Brahma Duplo Malte and Natu and managed a pipeline spanning up to ten years.
An innovation portfolio with method and pace
I led 19 people and five Project Managers across open innovation, CVC, venture building and design.
6+ programs20% faster onboarding30% higher conversion
I standardized methods and led concurrent deliveries on time and on budget.
Product, technology and business in one system
I led Product, UX, Technology and Insights, from discovery to the evolution of corporate solutions.
4 products150+ clientsNPS 9
I led four products for 150+ clients, supporting break-even, retention and account growth.
Management, impact and financial sustainability
I structured projects, governance, indicators and fundraising at a social innovation organization.
100% of 2025 goals15 peoplePMO + indicators
I integrated strategy, communication and projects to improve predictability and impact.
My journey
My journey across science, innovation and business
Ambev · AB InBev
I progressed to Head of Product Innovation and Marketing.
Trillio
I served as Chief Project Officer and Chief Product Officer.
The Bakery
I served as Innovation Manager and led global delivery.
Arquitetura na Periferia
I served as Senior Innovation and Projects Manager.
Hexagon Mining
I serve as LATAM Innovation Manager at the Hexagon Smart Centre LATAM.
People who worked with me
The impact I build also shows up in relationships
“Polly combines strategic vision with a rare ability to turn ideas into consistent execution.”
“Her leadership balanced strategic vision, sensitivity in relationships and a focus on results.”
“An exceptional perspective, with a talent for connecting purpose, people and resources.”
“A true multidisciplinary thinker, able to connect the dots across marketing and strategy.”
“Polly has great leadership skills and has been key to our fundraising objectives.”
“An extremely hands-on and highly productive professional who values the quality of the work.”
My ideas in the media
Ideas I put into circulation
Mesa de Bar 2021
Brewing Love: beers supporting the LGBTQIA+ community
As a brewmaster, Consumer Science leader and member of Ambev's diversity group, I advocated for representation and respect in the beer industry.Beer Art 2021
Beer expertise and LGBTQIA+ inclusion
I taught an open course on beer and led the development of a collaborative recipe for the Brewing Love project.Marie Claire 2022
Leadership lessons for Brazil
I championed interdisciplinarity as a way to broaden perspectives, foster critical thinking and build better decisions.Beer Art 2022
Women innovating in beer
The article presented my journey as a biologist, leadership master's graduate and Head of Innovation, highlighting my work in research, sensory science, consumer science and health.Education
Learning is part of my work
I learn to expand the questions I can ask — and the quality of the decisions I help build.
In progress · 2026
AI and Strategic Management for Leaders
Conquer School
2018
Professional Master's in Business Administration
Fundação Dom Cabral
2016 · 2013
Business Management & People Management
Fundação Dom Cabral
2011
Biological Sciences
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Futures in the making
I study signals, scenarios and foresight methods to turn change into preparedness, strategic choices and desirable futures.
Portuguese · NativeEnglish · FluentSpanish · Intermediate